Bearnard Release Date Announced for Nintendo Switch: Turn-Based Card Battler Arrives May 2025

Bearnard, the upcoming single-player adventure developed by Michał Wikliński and published by Untold Tales, has secured its official release date for the Nintendo Switch.

The title is scheduled to debut globally via the Nintendo eShop on May 9, 2025, bringing its unique blend of card-enhanced turn-based battles, archery gameplay, and classic action-adventure elements to the hybrid console. Bearnard follows the story of its namesake—the not-so-typical bear protagonist.

While described as lazy and grumpy, Bearnard is reluctantly drawn into a quest to reclaim a legendary bow and protect his woodland home.

More than just an ordinary bear, he is a skilled archer thrust into the role of hero, challenging players to master the art of precise shooting while engaging with an innovative card-based combat system. According to Untold Tales, the gameplay offers an expansive mix of mechanics drawn from classic 8-bit era inspirations.

Players can expect to traverse a variety of environments, from lush forests and snowy peaks to ancient castles and shadowy dungeons.

Each biome presents its own obstacles, secrets, and enemies, encouraging exploration and puzzle-solving alongside intense combat. A key feature of Bearnard involves strategic card play, with over 60 unique cards available for discovery and use.

Battles transform into dynamic, evolving puzzles as players combine elemental cards to deploy powerful combos against foes.

"Players will need to think carefully, combining cards to forge devastating elemental combos and strategizing every move to gain the upper hand," notes the publisher.

Adding a twist to typical card battlers, success also hinges on archery skills; hitting precise bullseyes is required to maximize the effectiveness of your actions in combat. Bearnard's puzzles and level design encourage players to utilize physics in creative ways.

Whether triggering levers with expertly aimed arrows, manipulating the environment to drop chandeliers on unsuspecting opponents, or launching Bearnard to new areas, the game rewards inventive problem-solving and quick thinking. Visually, Bearnard pays homage to the 8-bit era that defined the beginnings of modern video gaming, featuring pixel art and retro-inspired environments that blend nostalgia with modern gameplay innovations. The digital-only release of Bearnard on Nintendo Switch is set for May 9, 2025, and will be available exclusively via the Nintendo eShop.

This marks another notable entry for both Untold Tales and Michał Wikliński, expanding their portfolio of indie titles on Nintendo's widely popular hybrid system. With its strategic combat, retro flair, and inventive use of card and physics-based gameplay, Bearnard aims to capture the attention of action-adventure and tactical fans alike when it arrives next year.

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